I like to use a 10/0 weighted treble hook tied to a short piece (12") of 30 lb. leader. Throw the treble out into the school of bunker and "RIP" the treble through the school. You will snag one.

Otherwise, just net some bunker.

I like to snag them because after I get one, which is now wounded, I let it swim around. When a predator comes near, it twitches and tries to run off. After the striper/blue turns off with it, set the hook.

You can also reel in the snagged bunker and take it off and put it on a 10/0 or so hook. Do the same with the netted bunker. I cut some of the fins off. I hook the bait in different places but lately forward of the dorsal fin has works for me. Then let the bait do its thing.

A great reel for this type of fishing is a Shimano Baitrunner 3500. Awesome!

There are many different ways to liveline. Some guys like to hook in the middle of the back, some like hook in the tail and others like to in the head. I like to hook in the bottom limp, up thru the top limps just in front of the nostrils. I like to use big hooks 10/0's either octopus or circles. I like this method for the reason Big bass will take a bait head first , my hook up are better this way.. but other have great luck with other methods,, Its all trial and error.

Right on Capt Ed. Bass, having no formitable teeth to bite up the fish, as blues do, will swallow the bait whole head first so it goes down the hatch. Can't get them fins passing thru swallowing tail first. Then their stomach juiced break up the food for digestion. For that reason I will hook my bait thru the bottom lip and out near the nostrils, as Joey G said.

Joe

Logged

Captain Joe of the Irish Ayes

May the holes in your net be no larger than the fish in it. ~Irish Blessing

Right on Capt Ed. Bass, having no formitable teeth to bite up the fish, as blues do, will swallow the bait whole head first so it goes down the hatch. Can't get them fins passing thru swallowing tail first. Then their stomach juiced break up the food for digestion. For that reason I will hook my bait thru the bottom lip and out near the nostrils, as Joey G said.

Joe

I prefer doing the same. I do not like to keep the bunker on the snag hook if I am snagging. I always switch to a 9/0 or 1/0 circle or octopus hook. I also prefer to hook thru the nostrils or lower lip thru top.

The bass will hit the bait sideways (usually), make there initial run, then stop to turn it head first and swallow it. That is when you know it is time to se the hook, few seconds after they stop on the initial run.

When live lining I have my standard 6/0 circle hook with a 3' leader. I zip tie the hook to a snap, the snap is hooked through the bunkers nostril area.....the hook is fully exposed and you will not miss a hook up...never had any problem as far as the hook being exposed.

When live lining I have my standard 6/0 circle hook with a 3' leader. I zip tie the hook to a snap, the snap is hooked through the bunkers nostril area.....the hook is fully exposed and you will not miss a hook up...never had any problem as far as the hook being exposed.

If anyone’s seen the Al Lorenzetti "Fishing For Trophy Striped Bass" DVD he uses a similar setup. Circle Hook in the top of a duro-snap, might be wired it instead of zip locked, and snap through nostril of bunker. Hooks rides up and is in good position for hookups.